Vietnamese athletes are aiming for higher achievements at regional and international sport tourneys this year such as the 28th SEA Games, the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD 18), and qualification rounds of the Olympic 2016.

The General Department for Sports and Physical Training reported at a conference on January 14 that in 2014, the country’s sport representative brought home a total of 355 gold, 253 silver, and 272 bronze medals, including 22 golds, 23 silvers and 32 bronzes from world sport events; 29 golds, 32 silvers and 60 bronzes in Asian events; and 242 golds, 171 silvers and 133 bronzes in Southeast Asian events.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh hailed the coaches and athletes for their brilliant performance in the year just gone.

He asked the General Department of Sports and Physical Training to focus attention on sports of domestic athletes’ strength so that they can shine at the regional and international events.

The sport sector also plans to boost grassroots campaigns promoting exercise among the public, with the goal of having 28 percent of the population exercise regularly this year.

VNA